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Okayama Prefecture / The Short Summary Of Okayama-ken

Okayama Prefecture is located on the centre of Sanyo-do Highway and faced
to the Inland Sea Of Japan (Seto Inland Sea). On the north, there is Totori
prefecture, Hyogo prefecture is on the east, Hiroshima is on the west,
and Kagawa prefecture is across the Inland Sea, so it is on the south.
Okayama has been the important region on the military and economy in western
Japan. Moreover three rivers, Yoshii, Asahi and Takahashi rivers that originate
in the Chugoku mountains carry much rich and high quality waters and soils
used for living, industry and agriculture throughout Okayama.

In ancient period of time, the area around Okayama was called Kibi Kingdom, one of the powerful clans in ancient Japan. Since 22,000 years ago, people have settled in the area, Onhara Remains show the life of people in the Old Stone Ages in Japan. So people might love the mild climate in Okayama and the Kibi Kingdom was flourished as a strong rival of the Yamato Court, the Japan's first imperial government in classic Japan. In 4th century called Kofun (tumulus) Period, many large tumuluses were built, especially the Tsukuriyama Kofun is famous and popular, so it is the fourth largest tumulus in Japan, they imply that the powerful ruler controlled the region.

In 6th century, Kibi was defeated by the Yamato Court, and it was divided into 3, Bizen, Bicchu and Bingo, lately Mimasaka region is divided from Bizen. Besides, The famous officers in the Yamato Court Makibi Kibi and Kiyomaro Waki were from Kibi.

In Heian period, many bureaucrats wanted to get the positions of the governors of the provinces now formed Okayama prefecture, as the lands in the provinces harvested much crops every year. So Fujiwara clan, the maternal family of the Imperial Family cultivated the private lands in them. Late Heian period, the Battle Of Mizushima occurred between Taira clan and Genji clan.

In Kamakura period, many samurai worriers moved from eastern Japan. And Akamatsu clan got the positions of the military governors of the 3 provinces, Bizen, Bicchu and Mimasaka through Muromachi period. Nontheless, in the Sengoku period (The Warring States Period), Uragami clan, a vassal of Akamatsu clan, got much power in Bizen and extended to Bicchu and Mimasaka, but Ukita clan, a vassel of Uragami clan ruined Uragami clan, so it was the typical case so called 'Gekokujo' (a case of inferiors getting the best of their superiors), and Ukita clan extended Bizen and Mimasaka. Ukita clan finally seized the power of the 3 provinces late Sengoku Period. The Inundating Tactics Of The Bicchu Takamatsujo Castle by Hideyoshi Toyotomi in 1582 is one of the most famous battles in Sengoku period. And the Okayamajo Castle (Ujo) was built by HIdeie Ukita, one of the most trusted vassals of Hideyoshi. However, the Ukita clan lost the provinces after the Battle Of Sekigahara in 1600.

In Edo period, Ikeda clan got the provinces and built Korakuen garden.

After Meiji Restoration, the classical districts were rebuilt, and a new administrative district 'Okayama' was created in July 14th of 1871.

The prefectural name Okayama was named after a small hill where the Okayamajo Castle stands on, originally, the hill had been called Okayama before the castle was built. After Hideie Ukita built it, the castle town gradually formed and the town was also called Okayama in 1594.

Currently transportation systems are excitingly developing, the Okayama Airport operates flights both domestic and international flights, and a rail system includes bullet trains extends in all directions, so Okayama is developing as a transportation hub of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions.